WITH a wing span of 6ft and a top speed of 70mph, the radio controlled planes of a Darlington enthusiast are set to turn heads this weekend.

The models of Gordon Whitehead will top the bill at the three-day Yorkshire Air Spectacular at Rufforth, near York, which starts on Saturday.

The retired retail manager developed a passion for model aircraft as a child, when he built solid replicas during the Second World War.

Mr Whitehead said people built them for recognition purposes as part of the war effort.

"It helped people to tell if it was one of yours or one of theirs," he said.

The 73-year-old did his National Service with the RAF as a wireless mechanic and later became a keen glider, helping to form the Aberdeen Gliding Club.

He moved to Darlington in 1982, taking a job with Graham Builders' Merchants, now Jewsons.

After retiring eight years ago he has been able to devote more time to his passion.

Working out of a 13ft by 8ft garden shed, he designs and builds his own aircraft - the biggest of which are 14ft long.

Mr Whitehead said he gets very involved with his flying - no matter what the weather.

"If the weather's decent you can be up on the hills flying or if not, you can be building your next model in the workshop.

"It's very absorbing and can be both relaxing and competitive if you want it to be," he said.

He is treasurer of the Darlington and District Model Flying Club which has nearly 80 members.

Much of his time with the club is spent training new members who sometimes get the landing all wrong.

"It's not a problem," he said. "If you can build them, you can rebuild them."

The show starts at 10am on Saturday. Tickets are £7 for adults and £5 for concessions.